6,000 more cops deployed in today's election
Six thousand additional policemen are currently deployed in various areas of the region relative to the holding of the synchronized local and national elections today.
The police personnel which will be having their election duties until tomorrow were officially given their assignments in a send off ceremony held at Camp Delgado last Friday.
The police force include augmentation from Regional Headquarters and National Support Units.
Police Regional Office (PRO 6) director Chief Supt. Wilfredo Dulay Sr. emphasized during the send off ceremony the "solemn duty of the police to serve and protect and to remain politically neutral this election day."
Earlier, Dulay lamented the apparent lack of police to secure the polling places which require the augmentation of personnel doing administrative functions from the Regional Headquarters.
"We'd presented our plans to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and fortunately Atty Renato Magbutay immediately approved the deployment of 453 police trainees undergoing Field Training Program and Public Safety Basic Course," Dulay said.
Despite this, Dulay admitted that "we can't still cover all of the 3,991 polling centers". But, to mitigate the problem, members of the Philippine Army will be deployed to provide area security and visibility patrol in the far flung barangays to deter the New People's Army from conducting sabotage to disrupt the electoral process.
Previously, Atty Tomas Valera, Comelec spokesperson on election matters, had clarified that in no case the members of the Philippine Army can escort during the transport of ballot boxes, but they may provide road security to ensure the safety of Comelec officials particularly in remote areas.
(PIO-PRO6)